First Day At Sea...Leaving The Port of Miami

Hello friends and family or just random people wondering who we are, let me introduce to you myself, AMADA and my boyfriend GENE.

My name is Amada and I am with my boyfriend Gene on a cruise. Oceania Cruises-"Regatta"-Panama Canal Miami to Los Angeles. He and I have had a long distance relationship for the past year and finally are getting to spend some quality time together and have the experience of a lifetime. He has been working for a cruise line for the past 3 years and finally getting to experience the real deal instead of selling reservations. And let me just say WOW!!!!! We get 16 days together plus an extra couple days spent in the last port, Los Angeles then a very fun drive to Arizona. But more on that later...

We are cruising right now somewhere in the Atlantic and are having a wonderful crazy experience. Deciding to document this adventure using the free Internet (SHHHH-works for the company) and taking turns blogging about each other.

For the first cruise, we knew this was going to be pretty pricey but also knew that I would probably be the youngest if not one of the youngest people to be on the ship and we are the youngest couple but the funny thing is it's not as bad as we thought it would be. The older crowd are really just like everyone else, except of course most of them are world travelers and they of course have lots of money. Pretty sprite and spunky and a lot of fun at least the bar crowd is. Very knowledgable and wise. ;)

When Gene first told me we were finally going I was so excited I could hardly contain myself and as the time came closer and closer it became hard to sleep. I quickly learned that Gene was feeling the same way if not more hyper about it. We decided to stay at my house the Saturday before leaving and then his house Sunday night so we could see our families. Saturday night at my house in West Palm Beach we watched old home movies and laughed and then Sunday we drove to Miami and we packed Gene up, saw his sister and tried to see old friends at Titanic bar and grill for last time doing karaoke. We sang songs like Cruisin, Margarittaville, Love Boat, Tide is High, Under the Boardwalk, and of course My heart will go on. It was a lot of fun and it was good to see those who came to support us and our relationship. Thanks to those who did.

So Monday -First day on the cruise and leaving the port of Miami was extremely overwhelming, exciting and highly enjoyable. My parents wanted to see us off and decided to drive from West Palm to Miami and say hi to Gene's mother and father and then drive us to the Port. We didn't have much time for tea or lunch but we were grateful nonetheless for the small time we did spend with our families that day. We got to the ship and they took our passports and we went to our room, which at first seems small but as you start to put things away becomes extremely cozy. Queen size bed, outside veranda, a bottle of champagne and fruit basket (from his coworker Ed) left on the table. It's very quaint and unique. This ship is so beautiful! The service is amazing and of course the food is more than you can imagine extravagant. We went to lunch on the terrace cafe and although it looks buffet style, we quickly learned that you are not even allowed to lift a finger. Anything you'd want to eat, anytime. It's really amazing. So we sat out on the terrace and enjoyed tea and finger sandwiches, fruit, and my favorite chocolate mouse!!! YUM! After that we walked around enjoying the ship (Gene knows backwards and forwards) and just locating things and settling in. Although I don't know if you can really settle into service like this. Extremely overwhelmingly wonderful. The bed is 800 or 900 Egyptian cotton and feather down and once you lay down on it, it's very hard to get back up. The TV is satellite but on top of that, I quickly learned there seems to be no commercials! I mean my god. Also we were so excited the first night we couldn't sleep so we ordered room service (turkey club/cheese plate) at 3am and they happily brought it to us. I just don't know where to begin.

Gene really looks like a grinning fool, he can't believe it's all really happening. I am no longer worrying so much but am enjoying the serenity of the sea (even though I was feeling hydrophobic at first). Once we left the port of Miami (which is as we all know extremely beautiful) and left for Key West (which is always paradise) was when it hit us that this is something to never forget. I suggested we blog instead of sending emails and updates to everyone so that's where this began. We are happy to be together and are extremely happy to be experiencing this with the support of our friends, family, and coworkers.

Thanks again so much!

Next stop is Columbia! Watch out!!

Sincerely,
Amada & Gene

p.s. Gene will begin blogging separately as well so stay tuned for more to come, including pictures!!